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Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Monday, June 16, 2014
John Fontain
Leila Reeb, 29 Milton Keynes, Bucks (Englamd)
"The usual reaction when people find out I converted to Islam in my twenties is curiosity.
My husband and I are both white and British so we're not what you'd think of as "typical" Muslims.
I had a normal upbringing in a typical UK family. Growing up, religion didn't really play any role in my life and I was a stereotypical teenager.
I rebelled and got a tattoo and a lip ring. I had boyfriends and would go out drinking with my friends. At uni there was a big drinking culture and I did part-time bar work as well.
I didn't have any Muslim friends and had very stereotypical ideas of what Islam was about - a male- dominated culture where women were oppressed.
But all that changed when, aged 25, I went on holiday to Egypt. There I met Muslim locals and found myself absorbed by their culture. Hearing the call to prayer every day awoke something in me and I started to feel a strong spiritual connection to Islam.
I was astonished at how respectful the men seemed - not like the letches at home.
Once home I decided to find out more and I got in touch with a friend who had converted to Islam. He invited me to a talk and when I walked in, the room was full of women wearing niqabs. I thought they would judge me but they were so welcoming.
As I explored Islam more, it hit home that I felt a connection because it was what I believed anyway. I realised it made sense not to drink because it's bad for you and I found covering up was more liberating than being a slave to fashion.
Soon afterwards I made my declaration of faith and converted to Islam. It felt like the right thing to do but it took a few weeks for me to tell my family and I was nervous about their reaction.
At the time there were lots of terrorism arrests taking place in the UK. My family were worried at first but I made a real effort to show them that I hadn't changed.
I wear a headscarf but I chose not to wear the hijab and my family could see I was still the same person. Now they are very supportive.
Danny and I come from non-Muslim families. We met online chatting about this and it's helped that we've had this shared experience. We got married two years ago in a mosque.
Most friends have been accepting. A few non-Muslim mates have struggled but there have been hardly any negative reactions.
We're lucky in the UK that everyone is free to be who they want to be. I'm proud to be British and to be Muslim - there's no conflict between the two.
I'm still reading the Koran and learning more about Islam all the time - it's not all been plain sailing. Eating Halal, and fasting for Ramadan, were big changes and waking up at 3am to pray never gets easier. But now I really believe in the life I am living. I've never once regretted my choice."
Ibrahim Killington.
The whole purpose of life was just to have fun, have a laugh; the way to make your life bearable until you die, and hanging around with people of similar interests which were not always the best company to keep.
My first experience of seeing Muslims was the 9/11 attacks. I remember I was quite young at that time, I wasn't completely aware of what was going on. In fact, I ran to my friends after seeing the news report, and I told them that the "tourists" have declared war on America, because I had never heard of terrorists before.
As the war was unfolding, I was seeing more and more about the war in Afghanistan, I started understanding that these people are Muslims. The Muslims are doing these horrible atrocities around the world. So, from the media bombardment, I started getting a strong hatred for Muslims. So much in fact. I tried to join the army three times with the goal of wanting to go over there, and kill as many of these people as I could, to do my bit for my country and to make it a bit safer for my family. I thought they were the big evil of the world.
Discovering Islam
I started hearing a bit more about Islam, the last time I was applying for the army, I came across this radio station, at that time, I was listening to conspiracy theory radio, and things like this. It was a radio station from the American Government called Terror Talk, and it was talking about the life of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
It just didn't sound right to me that people would follow him from all of these evil things that they were saying about him. So, I started to question what Muslims believed at that time, I was on a spiritual search anyway.
At the time I was looking into Norse Mythology and Paganism, and one of my friends told me before you decide on this paganism thing have a look around a bit more. Therefore, I came across Muslims on the Internet. I think one of the first people I saw on the Internet was Baba Ali. He broke the stereotype of Muslims for me. I was surprised that this guy is funny and he was very laid back. He wasn't with a big beard shouting "Kill the Kafir," and this kind of stuff.
I eventually picked up the Quran from college. When I had it, I thought I was actually picking a "Terrorist Handbook," and I was worried that MI5 would come after me as soon as they saw me taking it out of the library.
But as soon as I started reading the book, it hit me immediately. I couldn't stop reading it; it sank deep into my heart. As I continued reading through the different surahs (chapters), I remember reading about people in the fire having boiling water to drink that is burning their throats. As I could read this and I was living this awful life, I could feel my throat burning, and I could feel how real this thing was, and how I had to change.
First, I went to the mosque, I spent all day there reading. My Mum called me in the evening and asked me where had I been all day. I said I was at the mosque
So she said, "No, you can't be at mosque, you are a Christian. Christians don't go to mosques."
She was very shocked and was sure that I was going down a bad path.
That was my Mum's original reaction, after a while she started to accept it. She cried a lot. I'm not too sure why she was crying, I think she felt I was rejecting everything she taught me.
A lot of people say that when they found Islam, it is as if they've come home. And that's the feeling I get. Me in the past wasn't me at all, I was being controlled by something else. Only good things have happened since I've become Muslim.
If I was going to give advice to someone else who is thinking about Islam, I'd definitely tell them to come to the mosque and speak to a man of knowledge. Do not search the Internet for the answers. There are some good things on the Internet, but when you don't know anything about Islam, you can't judge what is right and what is wrong. So it's much better to speak to someone.Spend time with Muslims. I spent many weeks in their company, and you get an understanding of who they are and what kind of quality of people they are.
Don't be afraid of what your family think; I've had many people and myself as well I was worried about what my parents would think, but at the end of the day Islam is for you, and you should hope the best for your parents will come afterwards.
Emma Taylor, 30, from Reading, Berks (England)
"I was raised a Catholic but after-school partying and living a wannabe WAG lifestyle became my religion. I loved buying sexy clothes and hanging out with mates.
As a filing clerk in an office I only earn £16,000 but until last year I managed to make it stretch by living in a shared house so I could spend my cash on looking and feeling good.
However in January last year, with my 30th birthday looming, I began to think that waking up with a hangover most mornings, having no long-term bloke in my life and no real ambition meant something was missing.
I'd also just come through a bad break-up and one night my Muslim mate invited me around for dinner.
Susan was more stable and content than my friends and I always turned to her for advice even though, at 28, she was two years younger than me. She converted to Islam three years ago.
While I was at Susan's she broke away to pray. I watched and she seemed so at peace with her life. That's when I asked her about her religion.
She didn't earbash me but she suggested websites and that I should go to a mosque. She said everyone was welcome, if respectful of others.
On March 2 I went to mosque with her. She'd told me what I should wear and supplied me with a headscarf. The day changed my life.
Sitting with the other women I felt a weird sense of relief and acceptance come over me. For an hour my problems disappeared. I liked the boundaries, with the men separated from the women, and the sense of reverence, of kindness. For the first time ever I felt spiritually alive.
With my friend's help, I converted. It was a radical change for me and many of my other mates thought I was mad. I persevered and discovered the Muslim community is made up of many races and everyone is very welcoming.
Now I pray five times a day, read the Koran, go to mosque and have been welcomed by everyone - there are lots of young white women my age.
I haven't had a drink in six months - the longest since I started sneaking booze at 13. I'm healthier and happier.
I wear a hijab or head scarf almost all the time I leave the house and I also don't eat pork - I tell friends my love of bacon butties has been replaced with a love of my new religion."
Famous Nepalese actress and singer Pooja Lama (Amina Furkhi)
five months ago Nepal's famous actress, model 28-year-old Pooja Lama perception of Islam and to the community was surprised. She brought up in Buddhist family, She announced her Converting after a short visit to Dubai and return from Qatar to Kathmandu , was present to discuss these important Statements:
Q: What feature of Islam in persuading you to accept Islam?
A: I was from the Buddhist family, One year ago that thought in my mind to study other religions, Hinduism, Christianity and Islam started a comparative study, during study travel to Dubai and Qatar was the journey there from the Islamic civilization was very impressed, the biggest feature of Islam, he is Oneness, faith and trust in Allah to see who got strong belief here, and in Other religion I could not.
Q: World media has opened front against Islam, Islam is being presented in the style of terrorism, you were not affected by it?
A: Propaganda against Islam is the reason also embracing to Islam, because his study say other thing was I found, and now I can say with the claim that Islam is the world's only religion of humanity and peace issues Justice solution offers.
Q: Pooja Ji! From the film industry is concerned you, and you regarding the many scandals in the media come to common view, which you was afflicted, and once attempted suicide of you, will tell us something?
A: I did not want to accuse the media regarding my personal life to cut, to publish comments, to defame me, I think you need this talking, still have been my three marriages, after a brief break from all There was gone to alone, I have a son from first husband who lives with my mother, about the same things the media to jump some improper things, which hurt me very much, people accuse me that I have for fame What's all this, the truth is that I was miserable wanted to commit suicide, I took my friends, led by the study of religious books, then embraced Islam, I want to forget my past, because I now 'm quiet and decent life.
Q: Pooja Ji! After acceptance of Islam came a major change in your lifestyle, your head is tied up Scarf , the alcohol and smoking have also repent?
A: Please don’t call me Pooja, Pooja my past and now I am Amna Farooqi, tension-filled moments before Islam, alcohol and cigarettes were my support, ever drink so much that the firm was unconscious. Prey to depression had, and the darkness around me was just darkness, but the joy of Islam have breath, alcohol, cigarettes have turn, the only Halal eat meat.
Q: In Islam Body exhibition of women, song and dance equipment is prevented, to what extent you agree?
A: After my converting to Islam , all producers have broken me , since the sangeet is filled my pulse was intravenous, so sometimes songs in a restaurant will go away, burqa ( Full Hijab) also use’s wearing, will try to exhaust even a series of songs.
Q: What were the motives of Islam?
A: Since the some of my Buddhist partner had converted to Islam, when they see trouble me urge you to Islam, says his teachings, I started to read, one day I put a Muslim friend to lecture, one of his Fixed all my heart that any wrongdoing was not afraid of humans but should fear Allah, so embrace Islam at that time decided to shelter.
Q: After acceptance of Islam was the reaction of your family?
A: After embracing Islam I informed my family, who lives in Darjiling , my mother cooperated fully, if they saw me flowers when smayyn, might say:''Oh dear! You chose the right path, to see you happy I found quiet. Hobbits have changed me, So other people also appreciated the family.
Q: The media have expressed doubt that any Muslim anywhere you are in love and married her to felled you is Islam?
A: baseless news, Some my friends are Muslims, but this
does not mean that I love someone felled and brought Islam to marry her lust, yes now I am a Muslim, so I married a Muslim will have, and shall decide when everyone will know then.
Sunday, June 15, 2014
Abdullah DeLancey.(Canada)
My name is Abdullah DeLancey.I am Canadian and I am employed as a Patient Service Worker at the local hospital. I have been married for almost 20 years and we have 3 wonderful children. Alhamdulillah, I am now a Muslim. I wasn't always a Muslim, though.
Previously; I was a Protestant Christian for all of my life. My family brought me up in the Pentecostal Church until I was an adult at which time I moved to a fundamental Independent Baptist Church.
As a faithful Christian I was very involved at Church, giving lectures for the Adult Sunday School and other duties. I was eventually elected as the Deacon of the Church. I really wanted to further my dedication to God and decided to pursue a career as a Minister.
I was awarded a scholarship to help me start taking a degree in Divinity. My goal was to be a Pastor of a Church or a Missionary. However, becoming a Minister would commit me and my whole family to the Church full time for life.
So just before attending Bible College, I thought it best to look at Christianity critically and ask some very serious questions about my faith. I questioned the Trinity, why God would need a son, and why the human sacrifice of Jesus, as stated in the Bible, was needed to provide me with forgiveness.
I questioned the Christian belief of how all the righteous people in the Old Testament were "saved" and in heaven if Jesus wasn't even born yet.
I pondered serious questions about Christianity that I had neglected to ask my whole life. The answers I received from Christians on these theological issues "which are the basis of the faith in Christianity," defied all reason and were absolutely beyond any logical thinking.
Why would God give us a wonderful brain and then expect us to temporarily stop using it? Because that is what Christianity is asking people to do when they say you just must have faith.
That is blind faith. Realizing that I had always accepted Christianity, with blind faith for my entire life and never had questioned it was perplexing to me. How could I have not realized this before?
I could not find the answers in the Bible. Once I realized that the Trinity was a myth and that God is powerful enough to "save" someone without the need for help from a son or anyone or anything else. Things changed. My entire faith in Christianity fell apart. I could no longer believe in Christianity or be a Christian.
I left the Church for good and my wife dutifully left with me, as she was having trouble accepting Christianity too. This was the start of my spiritual journey. I was now without a religion but believed in a God. This was a very hard time for me and my family as Christianity was all we had ever known. I had to search for the truth. I began studying various religions and found them as false one after another. Until, I heard about Islam. Islam!!! What was that? As far as I could remember, I had never known a Muslim and Islam was not heard or spoken of "as a faith" in my part of Canada. Unless, of course, it was news stories talking bad about Islam. For me at that time, Islam was not even a consideration. Not on my religious radar at all. But then I started to read a little about Islam. Then, I kept reading a little more.
Then, I read the Quran. This wonderful revelation of truth changed my life forever. I immediately started to study every piece of information pertaining to Islam I could get my hands on. I discovered the nearest mosque was about 100 miles away from my city.
So I promptly loaded the family van and drove my family to this mosque. On the way, I was very nervous but also very excited at the same time.. I asked myself, was I even allowed in the mosque because I wasn't an Arab or a Muslim?
However, after arriving at the mosque, I quickly realized I had nothing to fear. I was greeted by the Imam and the Muslims with a most warm greeting. I found them very nice. Nothing like the bad things the news always said about Muslims. They gave me a book by Ahmed Deedat and assured me I could be a Muslim.
I studied all the material on Islam they gave me. I appreciated these books very much because our local library had only 4 books on Islam. After studying I was in shock. How could I have been a Christian for so long and never heard the truth?
I now believed in Islam. I knew it and I wanted to convert. I was put in contact with the small Muslim community in my city. On March 24th 2006 I went to the Mosque. Just before Friday prayer started and with most of the local Muslim Community present as witness; I testified that" La illaha ill Allah, Muhammadur Rasul Allah": "There is no God but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. I was now a Muslim. It was the best day of my life.
I love Islam and have peace now. Difficult times have come since I became a Muslim. When people started realizing I was now a Muslim they would shun me or laugh at me, most of our old Christian friends have never talked to us again.
My parents have all but disowned me. I love being a Muslim and it doesn't matter if some of my fellow Canadians think of me as odd for becoming a Muslim. Why?
The reason is that I alone, am the one that will have to answer to God after my death. God is the giver of strength and Almighty God has helped me through all the rough times after my conversion to Islam. I have many, many Muslim Brothers now.
I have legally changed my first name to Abdullah, which I like very much. I am now the first and only Muslim Chaplain approved to work at the local hospital in my City. I am a Muslim and I am truly happy. All thanks be to God.
Anonymous, software developer, (England)
I was the talk of the student Islamic society when I became a Muslim: happy-go-lucky, trendy, outspoken me. After meeting Muslims at university, I'd become intrigued. I started studying Islam and taking heed of the Qur'an's teachings. Two years later, at 23, I took my shahadah (Islamic profession of faith).
The fact that my family were Sikhs intrigued many Muslims. I was handed many sisters' phone numbers and people wanted to meet me. Then it all went quiet: the sisters were too busy. It hurt; I was alone.
I am single, 26, and live at home with my family who are non-practising Punjabi Sikhs. My family and Sikh friends have yet to learn of my conversion, but I am not hiding my copies of the Qur'an. I want my family to see that I'm studying Islam with a fine-tooth comb, so they'll know I've made a well-informed decision; Islam has given me a sense of independence and serenity, I've become more accepting of what life throws at me and less competitive. But I feel they will be disappointed, somewhat embarrassed and also scared that the world will treat me unfairly if I'm Muslim.
Becoming a Muslim is not easy: people say hurtful things about your faith, and it's a struggle to fit in with pious-looking sisters who wear traditional Arabic dress. It's also hard to kiss goodbye to nights out in bars with friends. I loved to party; I still do. I take pride in my appearance: I wear makeup, dresses and heels. Initially, I went in all guns blazing and covered every inch of my body. I used to go to work in the hijab and remove it as I drove back into my home city. It was as if I was leading a double life and that became tiresome and stressful, so I stopped.
I would like to marry sooner rather than later, but how will I ever find a suitable husband? Most Muslims find mingling with women haram [forbidden by Islamic law]. Because I am not fully out in the open, Muslim men won't know I exist.
• This article was edited on 14 October 2013. Since the interviews, Kristiane Backer's personal circumstances have changed, and the piece has been changed to reflect this. Also, an additional, anonymous interviewee has been added at the end.
Andrea Chishti,School Teacher, 47, (England)
I have been happily married for 18 years to a British-born Muslim of Pakistani origins. We have a son, 11, and a daughter, eight.Fida and I met at university in 1991. My interest in Islam was a symbiosis of love and intellectual ideas. Fida wanted a Muslim family, and by 1992 my interest in Islam had developed significantly, so I chose to convert. It took us three more years to get married. During that time, we battled things out, met friends and families, agreed on how to live together.
I grew up in Germany, in a household where religion did not play a prominent role. My father was an atheist, but my mother and my school left me with a conviction that spirituality was important. When I converted, my father thought it was crazy, but he liked my husband; even so, he bought me a little flat so I "could always come back". My mother was shocked, horrified even. We had a typical Pakistani wedding with Fida's large extended family, and I moved to another country, so it was a lot for her to deal with. His family were not all happy either, because they'd have preferred someone from a Muslim background.
I don't feel I need to dress differently. I don't feel I need to wear hijab in my daily life, but I am very comfortable wearing it in public when performing religious duties. I don't wear it also out of consideration for my mother, because it was a huge issue for her.
I was a sensible teenager. I didn't drink. I am a teacher. So, I didn't drop out of an old life to find a new one. But Islam has strengthened my ethics and morals, and given a good foundation for our family life.
You sometimes feel like a "trophy" because you are white. If you go to a gathering, everyone wants to help and teach you and take you under their wing, up to the point where I found it suffocating. But, mostly, a lot of conversion problems are human problems, women's problems.
Kristiane Backer, TV presenter, 47, (England)
I grew up in Germany in a Protestant but not terribly religious family, then in 1989 moved to London to present on MTV Europe. I interviewed everyone from Bob Geldof to David Bowie, worked hard and partied hard, but something was missing. At a moment of crisis, I was introduced to the cricketer Imran Khan. He gave me books on Islam and invited me to travel with him through Pakistan. Those trips opened a new dimension in my life, an awareness of spirituality. The Muslims I met touched me profoundly through their generosity, dignity and readiness to sacrifice for others. The more I read, the more Islam attracted me. I converted in 1995.
When the German media found out, a negative press campaign followed and within no time my contract was terminated. It was the end of my entertainment career. It has been a challenge transforming my TV work in line with my new-found values, but I am working on a Muslim culture and lifestyle show. I feel I have a bridging role to play between the Muslim heritage community and society at large.
Most Muslims marry young, often with the help of their families, but I converted at 30. When I was still single 10 years later, I decided to look online. There, I met and fell in love with a charming, Muslim-born TV producer from Morocco who lived in the US. We had a lot in common and married in 2006. But his interpretation of Islam became a way of controlling me: I was expected to give up my work, couldn't talk to men and even had to cut men out of old photographs. I should have stood up to him, because a lot of what he asked of me was not Islamic but cultural, but I wanted to make the marriage work. Insha Allah my future husband will be more trusting and focused on the inner values of Islam, rather than on outward restrictions.
I have no regrets. On the contrary: my life now has meaning and the void that I used to feel is filled with God, and that is priceless.
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
AYESHA OLUMIDE, Model 24 (England)
Before converting to Islam I was a Christian – but where my family is from in West Africa, Islam and Christianity are both practised. But it wasn’t until I started studying philosophy at university that I began to learn more about Islam.
At first I was worried it would be too extreme but when I studied the Koran it blew my mind. The theories about nature and science appealed and I felt enlightened. You can’t always explain everything in a scientific way and Islam helps me with that.
I was first scouted as a model while a 15-year-old tomboy. I was into football and athletics – but a career in fashion is all about looks. Converting to Islam made me realise how much we value people if society thinks they’re beautiful.
At the mosque, women cover their head and dress modestly, so no one is judging you on what you look like. At first I found it hard to square being a Muslim with being a model. But I spoke to a Muslim sister and she said Islam is not an extreme religion, so if it felt too extreme to me it probably wasn’t right.
Now I cover my hair for 99 per cent of the time but if I don’t want to when I wake up one day, I don’t. And I don’t do any bikini or underwear shoots.
I don’t have set days at the mosque but I do go often and I pray every day. I would like to start a family in the future but don’t think I’d marry a non-Muslim.
Claire,EVANS 24 (England)
CLAIRE EVANS converted to Islam after researching it following a break-up. Claire, from Bridgend, South Wales, says:
After my heart was broken by a Muslim man, I wanted nothing more to do with the religion – I thought it was cruel and unkind.
But my mum started looking up more about Islam and pointed out the way this man had behaved was contrary to the faith’s teachings.
I read up on it and discovered that Islam actually promotes tranquillity and peace.
I wasn’t religious before I converted. I didn’t really believe in God. I now cover my hair and wear a hijab, which was a big decision. My dad doesn’t like it, though, and I don’t wear the hijab when I’m with him.
At first I got some stares and nasty comments but in the past six months I’ve grown in confidence. Now I go to the mosque once a week and I pray every day.
I also took a Muslim name, Safir, but I still use my old name of Claire too. I have a new partner too, who is a Muslim, but we’re not settling down just yet.
Islam has made me calmer and, for the first time in my life, I feel accepted.
There’s not much I miss about my old life, except the odd sausage roll – I can’t eat pork now.
Alana BlockleyLA Media Student (England)
My family are all travellers and we live on a caravan site. I was baptised as a Christian but church and religion were never a big part of my life.
I was 18 when I decided I wanted to go out to the Canaries. I wanted to work as a club rep and have the experiences people say you should when you’re young.
I arrived in Fuerteventura and after a couple of days, a hotel maintenance man offered to take me out for a coffee. He was Abdul, a Muslim from Morocco.
Preaching to the converted … Alana, right, and pictured wih her husband Abdul
When I got home he asked me to come back and visit him – and after three visits we knew we wanted to be together.
I started to research Islam because I wanted to know more about his life.
I decided I wanted to convert. I was worried about telling my parents and burst into tears. Mum thought I was pregnant and my dad thought I’d crashed my car.
I started to wear the hijab last summer. We got married in a Muslim ceremony earlier this month in Fuerteventura.
I miss eating Parma ham but I don’t miss alcohol.
I celebrate Eid now, but I compromised with my parents and we all had a halal Christmas dinner.
I hope I’m going to heaven now and I like the rules of Islam.
Devout Jayne Police Officer (England)
Devout Jayne converted to Islam last April and even plans to change her name to Aminah.
The single mum, who patrols Eccles, Gtr Manchester, as a Police Community Support Officer, says: “I thought Islam was all about women being forced to slave away in the kitchen — but I found out it was about being generous with your time, and patient and respectful of others.
“As I looked into it, I saw similarities with Catholicism and noticed values such as looking after your neighbours and cherishing the elderly, which is something older people say younger people don’t do any more.
“I wasn’t looking for any religion at the time but for every question I had answered about Islam, I had five more. I think I fell in love with it.”
EVERY year, more than 5,000 Brits convert to Islam.
More than half of those who make the switch are white – and 75 percent are women.
But what would make someone want to change their lifestyle so dramatically? Police Community Support Officer Jayne Kemp left her Catholic roots behind after “falling in love” with Islam while helping victims of so-called honour violence.
Yusuf Islam (Singer-songwriter, musician) conert in 1977
Stevens' albums Tea for the Tillerman (1970) and Teaser and the Firecat (1971) were both certified triple platinum in the US by the RIAA.His 1972 album Catch Bull at Four sold half a million copies in the first two weeks of release alone and was Billboard's number-one LP for three consecutive weeks.He also earned two ASCAP songwriting awards in consecutive years for "The First Cut Is the Deepest"; the song has been a hit single for four different artists.Some of his other hit songs include, "Father and Son", "Wild World", "Peace Train", "Moonshadow" and "Morning Has Broken".
In December 1977, Stevens converted to Islam and adopted the name Yusuf Islam the following year. In 1979, he auctioned all his guitars for charity and left his music career to devote himself to educational and philanthropic causes in the Muslim community. He has received several awards for his work in promoting peace in the world, including the 2003 World Award, the 2004 Man of Peace Award, and the 2007 Mediterranean Prize for Peace. Known professionally by the single name Yusuf, in 2006 he returned to pop music with his first album of new pop songs in 28 years, entitled An Other Cup.On 5 May 2009, he released the album Roadsinger.
Georgette Lepaulle, 92, Is Oldest Muslim Revert In The World !!
With the introduction Georgette holds her hands deep in the sleeves of her djellaba. She refuses the outstretched hand. “You should not take this personally, but since I am Muslim, I get no strangers anymore. I will only touch my husband. Not that I have wedding plans. What should a widow of 92 ? ” Then splashes Georgettes loud laugh . The roaring laughter of “Muhammad Maddah” is still on.
Georgette and Mohammed are already more than 40 years neighbors. Two years ago Georgettes was put by her family in a nursing home; wanted to quit, Muhammad suggested that his neighbor could come to live with his family. That was not a problem as Muhammad’s wife, son and two daughters knew Georgette all throughout their lives. Muhammad had actually just lost his own mother. and Georgette might lessen that loss.
“ I was attracted to Islam,” says Georgette. “I saw these people pray together. I saw how caringly they interact. How they talk to each other. How important family is to them. Totally different from my cold family. Since my conversion, I have not heard from my 72 year old daughter. “
Of God apart
Last summer Georgette went with Mohammed's family for visit to Morocco. That was Ramadan, the fasting of the Muslims. “I knew what fasting is, because I’m Catholic. I was baptized, went to the nuns school, was twice married at church and have attended my two husbands' ecclesiastical burial. During my working life I was a maid in a Jewish family. But religion has never touched me. On the contrary. I lived quite apart from God. On my fifth birthday I smoked my first cigarette and my last on my 78th. On my seventh drank my first glass of alcohol and before my conversion I drank half a bottle of wine every day. That was a habit from my first marriage with an Italian fighter pilot, who was killed in the war . “
During her participation in Ramadan last year, a deep religious feeling awakened in Georgette. She was shocked.So late in life, a completely new experience !. For the first time she felt in touch with something higher. With Allah. She felt His openness. His love. She asked Him for the healing of a friend and the rescue of a little boy who was on the wrong track. Her two request were granted... That was a sign to Georgette; to convert to Islam.
Women helped Georgette to thoroughly wash herself. That was a ritual. “Then they continued to kiss me. So glad they were because I was a sister of them. I've never been kissed so much – you probably know by women – as since entering Islam. There are somethings that I must leave. Beverage, tobacco, pork and – it is not easy for a woman – even makeup, routine use of makeup in public. Previously I put the makeup always in thick layers. “
Back in Belgium, they went to the big mosque in Brussels for a certificate for Noor Islam – that is the new name of Georgette. The mosque in Brussels reported the conversion of the then 91-year-old Belgian woman immediately to the mosque in Mecca. Wherein they plunged into the archives but found no older converts. Immediately, the king of Saudi Arabia them informed that an envoy was sent to Berchem with a gold watch for Georgette. Plus an invitation to next year at his expense to come to Mecca, for Hajj. The Saudi television will follow her. But the VRT was for them. Famous Everyone turned in a report on Georgette.It’s a dirty question, but they had to ask Was Georgette paid something for conversion to Islam? She looks strict and then again that loud laugh: “Money has nothing to do with it. I took this decision entirely voluntarily. Everyone is free to do so. Others should follow my example. “
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Dr Annie (Amina) Coxon, consultant physician and neurologist,
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| Dr Annie (Amina) Coxon |
I converted 21 years ago. It was the result of a long search for a more spiritual alternative to Catholicism. Initially, I didn't consider Islam because of the negative image in the media. The conversion process was gradual and ultimately guided by the example of the mother of the current Sultan of Oman – one of my patients – and by a series of dreams.
My family were initially surprised, but accepted my conversion. After 9/11, however, my relationship with my sister-in-law changed and I am no longer welcome in their home. I have friends for whom my conversion is an accepted eccentricity, but I lost many superficial ones because of it.
When I converted, I was told by the imam that I should dress modestly, but didn't need to wear the hijab because I was already old. During Ramadan, however, I do warn patients that I'll look a bit different if they see me coming back from the mosque. The response has been fascination rather than repulsion.
I tried to join various Islamic communities: Turkish, Pakistani and Moroccan. I went to the Moroccan mosque for three years without one person greeting me or wishing me "Eid Mubarak". I had cancer and not one Muslim friend (except a very holy old man) came to pray with me in nine months of treatment. But these are small annoyances compared with what I've gained: serenity, wisdom and peace. I've now finally found my Muslim community and it is African.
Many Muslims come to London as immigrants. Their ethnic identity is tied to the mosque; they don't want white faces there. We are pioneers. There will be a time when white converts won't be seen as freaks.
Anita Nayyar, social psychologist gender equalities activist
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| Anita Nayyar, convert in 2000 |
As an Anglo-Indian with Hindu grandparents who lived through the partition of India and Pakistan, and saw family shot by a Muslim gang, I was brought up with a fairly dim view of what it was to be Muslim.
I was a very religious Christian, involved in the church, and wanted to become a vicar. At 16, I opted for a secular college, which is where I made friends with Muslims. I was shocked by how normal they were, and how much I liked them. I started debates, initially to let them know what a terrible religion they followed, and I started to learn that it wasn't too different from Christianity. In fact, it seemed to make more sense. It took a year and a half before I got to the point of conversion, and I became a Muslim in 2000, aged 18. My mother was disappointed and my father quietly accepting. Other members of my family felt betrayed.
I used to wear a scarf, which can mean many things. It can be a signifier of one's faith, which is helpful when you don't wish to be chatted up or invited to drink. It can attract negative attention from people who stereotype "visibly" Muslim women as oppressed or terrorist. It can also get positive reactions from the Muslim community.
But people expect certain behaviour from a woman in a headscarf, and I started to wonder whether I was doing it for God or to fulfil the role of "the pious woman". In the end, not wearing the scarf has helped make my faith invisible again and allowed me to revisit my personal relationship with God.
One of the biggest challenges I face is the prohibition of women from the mosque. It's sad to go somewhere, ready to connect with a higher being, only to be asked to leave because women are not allowed. In the past, I have prayed in car parks, my office corridor and in a fried chicken shop. The irony is that while my workplace would feel it discriminatory to stop me praying, some mosques do not.
Joni Sullivan, local authority worker,
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| Joni Sullivan, convert in 2001 |
I was born and raised in a middle-class, left-leaning, atheist family; my father was a professor, my mother a teacher. When I finished my MPhil at Cambridge in 2000, I worked in Egypt, Jordan, Palestine and Israel. Back then, I had a fairly stereotypical view of Islam, but became impressed with the strength the people derived from their faith. Their lives sucked, yet nearly everyone I met seemed to approach their existence with a tranquillity and stability that stood in contrast to the world I'd left behind.
In 2001, I fell in love with and married a Jordanian from a fairly non-practising background. At first we lived a very western lifestyle, going out to bars and clubs, but around this time I started an Arabic course and picked up an English copy of the Qur'an. I found myself reading a book that claimed that the proof of God's existence was in the infinite beauty and balance of creation, not one that asked me to believe God walked the Earth in human form; I didn't need a priest to bless me or a sacred place to pray. Then I started looking into other Islamic practices that I'd dismissed as harsh: fasting, compulsory charity, the idea of modesty. I stopped seeing them as restrictions on personal freedom and realised they were ways of achieving self-control.
In my heart, I began to consider myself a Muslim, but didn't feel a need to shout about it; part of me was trying to avoid conflict with my family and friends. In the end it was the hijab that "outed" me to wider society: I began to feel I wasn't being true to myself if I didn't wear it. It caused some friction, and humour, too: people kept asking in hushed tones if I had cancer. But I've been pleasantly surprised at how little it has mattered in any meaningful relationship I have.
Tamil Actress M G Rahima (Monika) converts to Islam and quits cinema
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| Tamil Actress M G Rahima (Monika) |
Monika’s parents are Christians and the actress says hereafter she won’t be acting in films. Monika also says that there is no selfishness in her decision to convert to Islam.
Monika started her career as a child artist in Avasara Police 100. She is also popular in other South Indian film industries like Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada.
She conducted a press meet at RKV Studio on Friday where she said, “I started my career in cinema from child artist, completed 70 films in Cinema Industry. I have done with your full support. The word thanks is not enough for your affections”.
She added, “I don’t convert for the reason of love of money,i am not such a person. I like Islamic principles so that I converted to Islam. I will intimate about my marriage to media once it will be arranged by my parents and I really thank to my dad for his full support. I am not convinced to change my name but I have changed my name , it is M.G.Raheema (M – Maruthi Raj (father), G-Gracy (mother)). Hereafter I won’t act in the film, it gives some pain but I don’t change my mind”
The actress added that she was planning to tie the knot soon. The actress has also issued her new photographs in Islamic Abaya.
Monika is the latest to join the bandwagon of those who converted to Islam, before her the Oscar winner musician AR Rahman and popular musician Yuvan Shankar Raja had also converted Islam in recent times.
Music Composer Muhammad Khaliq ( Yuvan Shankar Rajah ) FEB 2014
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| Muhammad Khaliq ( Yuvan Shankar Rajah ) |
Though the rumour was going around for quite some time, Yuvan, confirmed this in a tweet.“Yes, I follow Islam and I’m proud about it. Alhamdhulillah,” Yuvan Shankar Raja posted on Twitter.
There were rumours that Yuvan, who was married twice, was now going to marry a Muslim woman.However, he has denied the rumours.
“I’m not married for the third time. The news is false, and yes, I follow Islam and I’m proud of it,” India Today quoted him as saying.
Yuvan also tweeted: “My family supports my decision and there is no misunderstanding between me and my dad”.Yuvan, 34, has composed music for 100 films till date.His 100th was a Tamil movie, Biriyani.
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